Overview & Reviews

If you're thinking about purchasing a vehicle rugged enough to finesse rocky trails, chances are, one make comes to mind: Jeep. This specialty automotive manufacturer has a long history of producing trucks and SUVs capable of off-highway adventures — so much so that the term jeep is used by many to refer to all SUVs, whether the vehicle in question is a true Jeep or not.

Jeep took root in WWII as the name of the now-iconic four-wheel-drive military vehicle produced by Willys-Overland and Ford for the U.S. Army. The name's origin is somewhat of a mystery; popular belief is that it morphed from "GP," or "general purpose," though others have suggested that it was a nickname derived from a character featured in the Popeye comic strip of the time.

The mid-1940s saw the introduction of the first civilian Jeep, the CJ-2A. It offered many features not available on military versions, such as a tailgate, an external fuel cap and a side-mounted spare tire, and was targeted mainly toward farmers and construction workers.

Civilian Jeeps caught on with the public, and by the 1950s, new models such as the CJ-3B and the CJ-5 had been introduced. The CJ-5 had the longest production run of any Jeep vehicle, continuing for 30 years after its introduction in the early '50s. The company changed owners during this decade as Willys-Overland was sold to Kaiser in 1953.

Jeep broke new ground in the 1960s with the debut of its Wagoneer. Geared toward active families, this early SUV was the first four-wheel-drive vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission. A new "Dauntless" V6 became available as an option on the CJ-5 and CJ-6 in 1965. This was the first time that a Jeep CJ could be equipped with a V6. Packing 155 horses, the engine's horsepower almost doubled that offered by the standard four-cylinder.

By the 1970s, Jeep had changed ownership yet again, with the purchase of Kaiser-Jeep by American Motors Corporation. New models like the CJ-7 and the Scrambler were rolled out. Additionally, the company unveiled some new technology with the introduction of the world's first automatic full-time four-wheel-drive system. Dubbed Quadra-Trac, it was available in the CJ-7 as well as in full-size Jeep trucks and wagons. During this decade, Jeep's fortunes soared as four-wheel-drive vehicles became increasingly popular with large sections of American buyers.

The 1980s saw the introduction of the Cherokee and Wrangler. The Cherokee was one of the first of the new breed of SUVs — high-riding midsize wagons that skyrocketed in popularity as the decade progressed. The Wrangler replaced the CJ series in 1987 and offered the raw functionality of the CJ along with more comfort features. That year also saw the purchase of American Motors by Chrysler, with the Jeep brand becoming part of Chrysler's Jeep/Eagle division. One of Jeep's most popular models, the Grand Cherokee, debuted for 1993. This handsome, midsize SUV offered considerably more comfort and luxury than the smaller Cherokee while still providing stout off-road capability.

Jeep fell under the umbrella of DaimlerChrysler after Chrysler and Daimler-Benz merged in 1998. This partnership resulted in a few new models, such as the Liberty and Compass, though none were able to attain great sales success. In 2007, Daimler sold the Chrysler Group to a private equity firm. It is now under control of Fiat.

More recently, the company has added a couple of enticing models to its lineup (including a four-door version of the Wrangler and the pavement-scorching Grand Cherokee SRT8) and made substantial performance and quality improvements under the hoods and within the cabins. As such, we expect Jeep will not only maintain a loyal group of customers but will also bring new fans into the fold.

User Reviews:

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  Used 2016 Jeep Cherokee Great Purchase - 2016 Jeep Cherokee
  By Casey - May 27 - 1:07 am

  Check for small missing parts. The cup holders were missing there liners and there was no owners manual. Fortunately with todays times I can access the manual online and the parts were easy to order.

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  Get what you pay for (if you buy used) - 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By 2 time jeep owner - May 26 - 11:33 am

  Used jeep GCs can be a great deal for the do it yourself mechanic. Sorry to those who bought new. I replaced blend doors at 85K miles with do it yourself kit for $200 through glove box, works perfectly. Rust started to creep through rear fender wells, poor factory paint job did not cover inside of wheel wells. Needed to change battery at 90k miles. Running strong with 100k miles on it. Bought it for $7200 with 80k miles on it in 2009, great deal versus other options for the money but I know how to fix minor issues and those issues are reflected in the lower resale value of this vehicle.

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  jeep review - 2005 Jeep Wrangler
  By Garrett Lynn - May 26 - 12:36 am

  The jeep wrangler is a fun to drive trail capable vehicle. It is enjoyable yet lacks in creativity and is kind of stone age in its fuel injection system along with its less than arrowdinamic look. With a little more work it has the potencial of excellence in many fields yet the biggest step needs to be in millage and not just a bigger tank either. We also need to go back to lock out hubs and the paint job was weak with many thin spots where the under coat sees through. It also needs LIMITED SLIP

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  Why buy or even build the Grand Cherokee - 2007 Jeep Commander
  By Jeep SantaBarbara - May 25 - 11:50 pm

  The Jeep Commander is a really fine SUV. I shopped the Expdetion, Tahoe, Armada and Sequoia. Finally decided on the Jeep. The overland has a lot of features for the money with the incentives Jeep offers: Bluetooth, NAV, rear DVD, 3rd row, rear sensors, heated seats, auto high beams, sunroof, tow package, tons of airbags and more. It is a little small for the price when compared to the true full-size utes like the Tahoe, but usually is adequate and the smaller size comes in handy in most daily tasks. But my point is with the new 2008 Liberty in the line why does Jeep still offer the Grand Cherokee? The Commander is the better buy and much closer to the cool/trendy Grand Wagoneer.

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  My 1st Jeep (4.7l V8, Limited) - 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By 1stJeep - May 25 - 8:16 am

  My girlfriend and I purchased our first Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited. What a purchase! We couldnt be happier with our decision. From the build quality of the Jeep brand (my father has an 04 with 120,000 miles) to our dealership provided LIFETIME warranty, this vehicle has it all. We purchased a certified pre-owned Grand Cherokee Limited with all of the options except the Xenon headlamps and the 5.7L Hemi engine. The driving is solid, fuel economy is what you would expect from a V8 engine and the overall ride is comfortable.

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  Reliable: afraid not - 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By unhappy in Utah - May 24 - 10:00 am

  At 8000 miles rotors needed turning, at 16000 rotors were replaced, at 36000 rotors needed turning. Window lift drivers side @ 18000; heavy shifting-firmware replacement-still bad; Both seat heaters replaced; starter motor at 36000; hood lifts at 36000; power steering at 38000; radio power intermittant--no fix; excess side slip. Cost of ownership and depreciation is outragous.

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  The Liberty Twins - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By RNman - May 24 - 10:00 am

  In February 2004 I needed a new commuter vehicle. I purchased a certified used Liberty Renegade in black with all the trimmings. It was on the lot and I stumbled on it. It was the only Liberty on the lot. after a test drive I (and my wife) was convinced that it would be the ideal vehicle to commute as well as be a workhorse on the weekends if I needed it. the problem came when I brought it home and My wife wanted to drive it more than her car (a new 2003 Concorde) I finally gave in, trading in the Concorde for her own 2004 Liberty. we now have two Jeeps and we are very happy with them both.

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  My First Jeep - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By JeaninesJeep - May 24 - 10:00 am

  This was my first new car purchase and my first Jeep. I Love this Jeep. I am a forensic toxicologist and my jobe is 365 days a year. There is no such thing as a snow day for me. My Jeep gets me there and back no problems at all. I will join the rest of the Jeep family and never go back to another type of SUV again. Its very Kid friendly as well. I have 3 of them.The heat in this thing works so good you can cook a meal in it !

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  Will my Jeep make it???? - 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By trillium3 - May 24 - 2:00 am

  This jeep is my first SUV, and my first "American" car in years. Having an SUV has been so helpful during the winter. Lately I feel as if the car is starting to fall apart. At 26,000 miles the transmission slips when cold; service has not resolved the problem. When I brought it in for the last service they found a number of items wrong with the car and kept the car all day. Ive always driven my Hondas and Toyotas over 100,000 miles; I certainly dont have the confidence in this vehicles reliability since Im already having major mechanical problems. Ill never go without an SUV again, will stick to the imports though.

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  Jeep Libertys are fun! - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By Marianne Smith - May 24 - 2:00 am

  I purchased a Jeep Liberty Sport in 2002 for travel in the snow. It has shown me that not only does it handle well in snow, but in rain, sun, hard ground, and other situations as well. I never have to worry about where Im going or if I break down...its never happened. It feels great to drive and is very easy to handle. The cargo space is every womans dream and the rear door made for easy access to it. The only sown side to the viechle is that when the rear windows are open it causes a loud wind tunnel sound that occ. hurts your ears...but the A/C helps. I have truly enjoyed my experience with it and plan to buy again in the future!